Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday when they delivered a commanding performance against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes session. The match, played at the Bernardus Golf course, ended in a 4&3 victory for the American duo, marking several notable milestones for Team USA. Hull entered the round with a strong pedigree against Korda, having won two of their three previous Solheim Cup encounters, including a decisive 6&4 singles triumph two years earlier.
Despite that history, Hull and her English partner Woad were unable to replicate past success, falling behind early when Woad secured the first hole with a birdie. The American pair quickly found their rhythm, stringing together a series of pars and birdies that swung the momentum in their favor. After dropping the opening hole, Korda and Corpuz rallied impressively, winning three of the next four holes to seize the lead. Their aggressive play continued through the middle of the round, as they captured the sixth, seventh, and eighth holes consecutively, establishing a comfortable cushion.
Even though Hull and Woad managed a brief resurgence with a birdie on the ninth, the Americans responded with steady play, securing pars on the 10th and 11th and a crucial birdie on the 12th. The pressure mounted for the European side, and they could not recover, allowing Korda and Corpuz to close out the match on the 15th hole with a par.
The victory was historic for several reasons. It marked the first time an American pair had amassed five foursomes wins together in Solheim Cup history, and it also represented the first streak of five consecutive foursomes victories by any team, male or female, in the event. The win pushed Korda’s career foursomes point total to seven, the third‑highest tally for a United States player, while the duo’s combined point total eclipsed the previous American record of 4.5 points held by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton. Team USA captain Angela Stanford strategically placed Korda and Corpuz at the top of the lineup, recalling their flawless partnership in the 2023 and 2024 editions.
Their chemistry was evident throughout the round, with Korda praising Corpuz’s reliability and consistency: "I enjoy playing with her so much. She's a solid player, and it’s fun to rely on her on the course." The afternoon session saw more drama as Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin staged a comeback to defeat Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and France’s Celine Boutier 3‑2. The match unfolded in rain‑soaked conditions, testing the players’ composure and shot‑making ability. Lee highlighted the team’s disciplined approach, noting, "We kept the ball in the fairway, hit the greens, and gave each other birdie chances when we could." On the European side, the Swedish pair of Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured the first point for Team Europe by beating the American duo of Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3&2.
Their partnership showcased aggressive iron play and clutch putting, particularly when Grant holed out from a bunker on the ninth hole to preserve their lead. Despite a brief surge from Zhang and Kupcho, who won back‑to‑back holes starting at the 10th, Stark and Grant held steady, clinching the match on the 16th. Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit also delivered a tightly contested win, edging out Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2‑up after a final‑hole showdown.
Maguire’s Solheim Cup record is remarkable; she has accumulated 9.5 points from 13 matches, the highest points‑per‑match percentage in European Solheim Cup history for players with at least ten appearances. She attributed her success to strong partnerships: "I’ve been fortunate to have great partners.
Many of my points come from foursomes and four‑ball matches." The overall score after the morning foursomes left the competition perfectly balanced, with each side having earned two points. This tie represents only the third instance in Solheim Cup history that the opening session has ended level, underscoring the tightly contested nature of this biennial rivalry. Beyond the on‑course action, the atmosphere at Bernardus was vibrant, with a sea of Irish and German flags waving in support of the European contingent.
Players remarked on how the enthusiastic crowds lifted their spirits, especially when the weather turned gloomy. Maguire reflected, "The flags and the cheering gave us a boost when the conditions got miserable." Looking ahead, the tournament moves into the four‑ball matches on Saturday morning, where both teams will aim to seize the initiative.
With the score tied and momentum shifting back and forth, every partnership will be crucial. Fans can continue to follow the drama live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, and streaming options available through NOW without a contract.
For those inspired by the competition, there are opportunities to experience world‑class courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Golfers can search for the best rates at over 1,700 venues, entering a city or postcode to find nearby options. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual enthusiast, the Solheim Cup showcases the excitement and camaraderie that make golf a truly global sport.